New Delhi: India’s future economic trajectory will hinge on the availability of affordable and reliable electricity, according to Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta Group. Stressing the centrality of energy security, Agarwal said power availability will be the defining factor for economies driven by artificial intelligence and critical minerals.
In a post on social media platform X, Agarwal drew a sharp comparison with China, noting that despite having a smaller economy than the United States, China’s electricity generation capacity is nearly double. He said such long-term investments in power infrastructure are likely to give China a strategic advantage in the AI era.
I was amazed to learn that China has double the power capacity of the US, even though its economy is significantly smaller.
China thinks long-term. This power capacity is going to be a big advantage in the AI-age.
In fact, affordable and secure power is key to future economies,… pic.twitter.com/H6ixBUMjJN
— Anil Agarwal (@AnilAgarwal_Ved) January 6, 2026
Highlighting the energy-intensive nature of emerging sectors, Agarwal pointed out that AI-driven data centres, advanced manufacturing and mineral processing require vast and uninterrupted power supply. “Without a strong backbone of clean, affordable and dependable electricity, India risks falling behind in global competition,” he cautioned.
The Vedanta chairman underlined that timely and sustained investments in the energy sector would not only fuel industrial expansion but also generate employment and promote inclusive economic growth. He added that building a resilient power ecosystem today will determine how effectively India capitalises on future technologies and global opportunities.
